Variables, Research Issues & Techniques Flashcards
What are the 2 main variables used in an experiment?
The two main variables used are independent and dependent variables
What is an independent variable?
the variable that is changed and has an effect on the dependent variable
What is a dependent variable?
the variable that is measured and is influenced by the independent variable
what is an extraneous variable?
something that influences the DV other than the main IV and this is known as an unwanted variable too
what is a confounding variable?
an external variable that occurs unexpectedly and it changes the DV however it isn’t something we can change or control, for example age, height, gender ect…
what are demand characteristics?
unnatural and purposeful changes in characteristics that participants have when in an investigation so that they can try to suit those characteristics to the investigation
what is investigator effects?
it is when the researcher/investigator has an unconscious bias toward an element of the investigation as they are known of the expected outcome so they may accidentally encourage/influence the way in which the participants may react or behave
what is randomisation?
it is the use of chance in an investigation to reduce any unconscious bias from the investigator simply meaning to reduce investigator effect
what is standardisation?
when the investigation is written in standardised instructions and all of the procedures are done exactly the same as written and when repeated to different groups of participants
What are the 2 types of extraneous variables
Participant and situational
What is a participant variable?
It is an extraneous variable about the participant that affects the dv however we can’t change it for eg. Gender, age, personality type ect…
What is a situational variable?
It is an extraneous variable about the environment/situation that affects the dv however we can’t change it for eg. Weather, noise, brightness ect…
